WSS: False neutral caused Crutchlow lead fall

Cal Crutchlow was unable to hide his disappointment after a 'false neutral' denied him the result that would have put him on the cusp of the 2009 World Supersport Championship.

While he wasn't able to exert the dominance he displayed in Germany, Crutchlow was still heading for victory when he took the lead from Kenan Sofuoglu with just three laps of the race remaining.

With Eugene Laverty destined for third, Crutchlow was set to be pull nine further points over his sole title rival when he hit a false neutral on the entry to Acque Minerale, causing him to go too fast into the corner.

Although unharmed by the high-speed off, it was Crutchlow's championship lead that took the biggest hit as Laverty was able to reduce the margin to just two points with two races remaining.

Coupled to his retirement from the lead at Brno, Crutchlow was frustrated to see two almost certain victories come to nothing.

"I'm really disappointed, we've lost 50 points over the year for two DNFs. It's nobody's fault, I hit a false neutral and went in way too fast and just couldn't stop. I couldn't get it round the corner and crashed. We still have a small lead though so we'll take it to Magny Cours and give it everything we've got."